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Home Office Advice Leaflet

Credit reference agency Callcredit check has teamed up with the Home Office in a major initiative to combat the growing problem of identity theft.

The agency is to distribute Home Office leaflets to consumers throughout the UK, advising them on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft and what action to take if they do become a victim.

Individuals who think they may have been a victim or are worried about identity theft can download a leaflet below or they can request a copy by contacting the Consumer Services team at Callcredit on 0113 2441555 or emailing info@callcredit.co.uk.

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Identity Theft

Check your credit report regularly and help prevent identity fraud. To get a copy of your credit report you can either apply for your statutory report by post or apply online through www.callcreditcheck.com for a number of services, including the credit report email alert service .

You may think that identity theft is something that could never happen to you, however it’s an increasing problem. Fraud based on obtaining credit cards and loans using a victim's personal details rose by 45 per cent from 2002, to £29.7m in 2004 according to figures provided by APACS (Association of Payment Clearing Services).

Most identity thieves not only steal your identity, but they also steal money from financial companies by impersonating their victims – this is known as identity fraud. The effects of being impersonated by someone else who then commits identity fraud in this way can wreck your credit file and have a significant impact on your life:

• EMPLOYMENT – Potential employers often run a credit check as part of their new employee referencing policy
• HOUSING – It may be hard to secure a tenancy in rented accommodation if you have a low credit score
• CREDIT – You may be refused credit cards or loans if someone is running up bad credit in your name
• MORTGAGE – Mortgage lenders may not offer you a mortgage if you have a poor credit rating

You can help protect yourself from this anxiety by joining Callcredit check. This gives you ongoing online access to your credit report, plus the added reassurance that your credit report is being monitored by Callcredit check.If there are significant changes to your credit report you will be advised by email.

Give yourself peace of mind, help protect your identity and keep on top of your personal finances.

• Order your credit report email alert service online for just £12 for 3 months.
• Send away for your statutory credit file by post.

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